Welcome to College

If anyone knows me, they know that I do not like school. It’s not something that I enjoy, or at least have not enjoyed in high school. Being a senior in high school, these last few weeks have been filled with senior news and updates — most having to do with college.

About two years ago, I “gave up” on school. What does that mean? Well, I just stopped caring. I didn’t see the purpose of the curriculum my teachers were attempting to teach me. Until very recently, I only thought of school as a waste of time. I wanted real world experience, which is where I went wrong.

I recently had a conversation with Meebo Co-Founder and CEO Seth Sternberg. Seth went to Yale for his bachelors, and Stanford for his MBA, which he actually didn’t finish, but that’s besides the point. We spoke about a lot of topics around school, and how if you look at the people that I look up to from companies like Rock You, Meebo, Facebook, Microsoft, they all had one thing in common — they went to college. They may have not finished college, but they went.

I haven’t exactly taken college seriously, until I got this wake up call from Seth and others.

Today, I’m extremely happy to say that I’m going to college, and attending the College of San Mateo (CSM) during the fall semester in 2010. I’ve already taken my placement test, figured out my base classes, and have scheduled myself for orientation.

Never in a million years did I think that I would be saying this, but I’m truly excited to go to college. After I got the email saying I’ve been accepted, it was one of the happiest feelings I’ve had.

To make it even better, minutes after getting accepted, and getting my new student identification number, I got my email account for CSM, which happens to be hosted on Google Apps. I have a feeling I’ll be alright in college 🙂

So that’s the story of college — I’m going, and I’m truly happy that I am. Also, don’t forget that I’m training for the Carlsbad 5000 in April, and you can track my progress through Twitter and the blog.

Congrats Daniel, that's great news.As a high schooler myself I've never really felt school is necessary because most of the learning isn't of my interest. I still think it is very useful, but not for everyone. If I want to learn something I'll look it up on the internet, ask someone or go get a book. Some of my subjects I have 95 %+ and others I have under 70 %, mainly because of my interests. A little off topic, but I also feel your mark shouldn't determine if your fit for College or determine if you get it.You're in the same situtation I”m guessing. Anyway congrats!

Sweet, deal. Now, the big question is this: Is there a Chevy's close by for them late night kay-suh-dill-uh runs?!?!? LOLI tried school too. I didn't stay, but it was definitely worth going for. One thing to remember is the people you meet there will likely be some friends for life. Therefore, don't squander the meaningful social time for all study. And by meaningful social time, I don't mean frat parties! LOL

Congrats, Daniel. You may find (as I did) that one of the most fun and enlightening parts of the college process is taking a commercial-off-the-shelf education and reshaping it to your needs and interests. Hack your learning!

That's great to hear Daniel, I'm glad you've made the decision to attend college. I myself felt quite similar about school while in high-school. Ever since I started college this past August I knew I was setting myself up for the future. Best of luck, I know you'll do great!

I'm getting my associates degree from CSM, and then transferring to a four year college to finish school which is part of the CSM Guaranteed Transfer program, which is one of the biggest reasons I'm going to CSM.

congrats and enjoy your time. There is a lot to learn in the college classroom, a lot to learn about the college life, and a lot to gain from the diverse friends you will make. All which should inspire you to achieve things you never considered. Heck I wanted to be a test pilot and now well… you know the story.Again cheers and good luck.

Congratulations man! I myself hate school, but college is not about that. It's about the connections you make and the knowledge you get from peers. You mentioned silicon startups in your post. Most were founded by more than one person. Google would have been nothing with just Sergey Brin or just Larry Page. It's all about collaboration with peers.

“We spoke about a lot of topics around school, and how if you look at the people that I look up to from companies like Rock You, Meebo, Facebook, Microsoft, they all had one thing in common — they went to college”And they also had another thing in common – they all went to a GREAT college. Yahoo and Google were from Stanford, Microsoft and Facebook were from Harvard etc. I don't really see the point of going to a community college as these aren't really the potential future business partners that will start the next Google…But of course there are always exceptions

Hey Daniel,Congrats on your acceptance into the College of San Mateo. I felt the same way about school after middle school was done as you've been feeling. School seemed like a bigger timesuck than talking on the phone with my friends. I didn't even start applying for colleges, let alone taking the SAT, until 4 months before I was supposed to graduate. I was accepted into the first and only college I applied to and that was a blessing for me.I'm glad you decided to go and you were surrounded by mentors who encouraged you to do so. I had the same treatment my senior year and I'm glad my mentors pushed me. I didn't see immediately, or even by my junior year, why I was in college. I've come a long way since college, but it equipped me with what I needed to make it to where I am today. I'm very proud of that, and I'm even more proud of you. Congrats again Daniel and best wishes!

I hate you. No, honestly I do! I think you employ a hacker to get in my head and steal all the wonderful ideas… but then I see you putting it in perspective of your life and I go like, “Oh! Well”I really share those thoughts with you. Or to be blunt – you God damned stole em from my head.Congrats on College btw.PS: I am writing a philosophical twist to this on my wee blog. You better read it Danny. You better do. Or I will tell your mom about this secret bolg (which I love following)Sarcastically Yours.Siddy XD

Enjoy college. Get laid, lots. Drink to excess. Experiment with drugs. Fall madly in love with a girl who is beyond your reach, make her yours, then enjoy every moment of heartache when she leaves you crying, with some vapid excuse. Sleep in late, skip classes. Cram all night for some pointless test that will mean nothing to you in life. These are the good years, and you will have missed out on much in life if you miss out on them.

Congratulations! Maybe you stepped up your life. My son, 18 year-old has gone to the industry technological junior college since this April in Japan. He is enjoying the collage. A life is only one degree. Your life is yourself. Let's enjoy your life and college.

Daniel – there are 3 differences between high school and college (even SMC, but much more so at 4-yr univesity) that I think you will enjoy. Autonomy, Purpose, and Mastery. You are autonomous from parents and the school – you select what to study and when, and whether and how much to “show up” – in the broadest meaning or that term. You are studying in order to pass a test, but to master the skills and knowledge in the topics that you care most about (minus core requirements – sorry). And finally, you are making choices that will impact your own purpose – to pursue the objectives you've set out and to create the future you've envisioned . Conveniently, these happen to be the three intrinsic motivators that reach beyond monetary reward to give people a sense of fulfillment in highly complex situations. Check out Daniel Pink's Ted talk for more on that at http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_on_motivation…